1

Patrons: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll President: Mrs Leonie Lawson MNZM

His Excellency Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae

Autumn

Mar 2014 - May 2014 NEWSLETTER

Publication of the Royal Commonwealth Society Auckland Branch Inc

IN THIS ISSUE NATIONAL DAYS

President’s Message 2 Branch Council 1 Rôle of the Governor-General 3 Commonwealth Essay Competition 3 Coming Events 4 Commonwealth Charter 5 Membership application form 5 Commonwealth Day Service 6, 9 St George’s Day cocktails invitation 7

March April May 06 Ghana 26 Tanzania 20 Cameroon 10 Commonwealth Day 27 Sierra Leone 12 Mauritius 27 South Africa 21 Namibia 23 Pakistan 26 Bangladesh

The 54 countries of the Commonwealth Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji Islands, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Zambia

BRANCH COUNCIL President

Leonie Lawson

Vice-President Vice-President Brett Cunningham Josephine Howse

Treasurer Councillor Christopher Barradale John Cox

Correspondence to: The President Royal Commonwealth Society Auckland Branch Inc 14B Walton Street, Remuera, Auckland 1050 lawsons@xtra.co.nz

Payments to: The Treasurer Royal Commonwealth Society Auckland Branch Inc 8/29A St Stephens Avenue, Parnell, Auckland 1052 ANZ bank account: 06 0266 0091499 00. Please identify payer if paying by direct credit.

2

WELCOME TO THE NEW YEAR 2014

Dear Members and Friends

It was pleasing to see so many of you at the Commonwealth Day Service on Sunday 9 March and have others from the community attend to swell the congregation. Attendance this year was at an all-time high and I look to you all to ensure this continues – not only for this service but for other events during the year. Your support in inviting friends and others from the community is important if we are to maintain these numbers and gain an interest in our society. You would have noticed in the foyer of the Cathedral that we now have a pull up banner which states our mission statement and this will be used at all of our functions in the future.

The 2014 theme is ‘Team Commonwealth’ with focus on the Commonwealth Games to be held in Glasgow from 23 July to 3 August. Already New Zealand Sports groups are planning to have teams attend and I am sure our athletes and participants will do well and experience the unity that comes from team participation with others from around the world. The two sport and youth speakers at the service both emphasised this year’s theme as a celebration of our achievements, which have helped to build strength, resilience and pride in the young people in our communities. One of the most powerful devices in the Commonwealth toolbox is the ability to encourage member states and countries to raise their standard of democracy, civil liberties and governance, this, being at the heart of our Commonwealth approach: individuals and communities working as teams across borders, government, and organizations, finding ways to strive together to create a better future that is beneficial for the Commonwealth as a whole.

The Queen’s Message spoke in the same vein, reminding us that experiences of life differ widely throughout the Commonwealth, and we each make contributions from sometimes different viewpoints. But we are committed to the same goals. For all of us, this is now captured in the Commonwealth Charter which sets out the values and principles which guide and motivate us.

This message needs to be given to the youth of today so that they grasp the spirit and standards which go to make their teams effective, and personal involvement with each other through whatever activity in which they are participating.

You will be aware that RCS Auckland have formed a partnership with the British New Zealand Business Association to share ideas and gain support for planned events:

Celebration of St George’s day< This is a new celebration added to our calendar. I hope many of you

will attend.

1 St George’s Day celebration Cocktails with Roy Clare CBE Date: Wednesday 23 April 2014 Venue: The Northern Club,9 Princes Street, Auckland Time: 6 - 8 pm This is a collaborative event by BNZBA, RCS Auckland, the Northern Club and the Officers Club.

2 Queen’s Birthday Cocktails Farewell to HE Vicki Treadell CMG MVO, British High Commissioner. Date: Wednesday 4 June 2014 Venue: The Northern Club, 9 Princes Street, Auckland Time 6 - 8 pm

Booking forms for these two events are included with this newsletter. Please note the closing date for cheques to be received by our Treasurer. Tickets are not issued but a members list of those attending will be at the door.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: This is to be held at Kinder House, 2 Ayr Street, Parnell on Sunday 13 April

commencing at 2:30 pm. Please use main front door entrance. Nominations are now open for all positions on the Council. We do need more people to come forward as council members to give a wide spread of ideas. Meetings are held monthly on a Sunday afternoon. Please do offer your support in this way even if it is only for one year.

COMMONWEALTH ESSAY COMPETITION: New Zealand featured as having the senior winner of the Essay competition last year – Katherine McIndoe, a young student at Victoria University. There were over 6000 entries and Katherine’s essay, ‘the Lost Children’ won first place, a very commendable result. This annual competition has been taking place for 125 years and still attracts entries from all over the world. See flier with this newsletter.

Have you been successful in enlisting a new member? If all of our members brought in one new member it would greatly increase our support base. Kind regards

Leonie Lawson Leonie Lawson MNZM President

3

Rôle of the Governor-General The Governor-General is appointed on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of New Zealand to serve as the personal representative of the Head of State, Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand. The office is currently held by His Excellency Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae. By convention the Head of State acts on the advice of Ministers of the Crown, except on rare occasions such as when appointing a Prime Minister after an election. The Governor-General may exercise reserve powers in dismissing a Prime Minister in the event that the governing party or coalition is no longer responsible for government by loss of confidence or a coup, as happened in Sierra Leone in 1967, Australia in 1975, Grenada in 1979, and Fiji in 1987.

St George’s Day Cocktails Event 2014 The British New Zealand Business Association, the Royal Commonwealth Society Auckland Branch Inc, the Officers Club, and the Northern Club will co-host a cocktails event on Wednesday 23 April 2014 at 6 p m at the Northern Club to mark St George’s Day. Roy Clare CBE, Director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum will give an address. Cost $50 payable to Royal Commonwealth Society Auckland Branch Inc at the address of the Hon Treasurer shown below by 17 April 2014. See flier herewith.

Commonwealth Essay Competition 2014 Entries for the Commonwealth Essay Competition close on 1 May 2014. The Competition is open to nationals of, or those living in, a Commonwealth country or territory. The Junior Category (under 14 years) is open to those born after 1 May 2000 while the Senior Category (14 to 18 years) is open to those born between 2 May 1995 and 1 May 2000.

All entries must be in English and can be submitted with an entry form online or by post. This year’s theme is “Team Commonwealth”. See www.thercs.org for full terms and conditions and the flier with this newsletter.

Queen’s Birthday Cocktails Event The British New Zealand Business Association and the Royal Commonwealth Society Auckland Branch Inc will co-host a cocktails event on Wednesday 4 June 2014 at 6 p m at the Northern Club to mark the official birthday of H M the Queen and to farewell the British High Commissioner, H E Vicki Treadell CMG MVO. Cost $50 payable to Royal Commonwealth Society Auckland Branch Inc at the address of the Hon Treasurer shown below by 28 May 2014.

COMING EVENTS

4

Annual General Meeting 2014 The Annual General Meeting of the Royal Commonwealth Society Auckland Branch Inc will be held at Kinder House, 2 Ayr Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052 on Sunday 13 April 2014 at 11:00 a m.

St George’s Day Cocktails Event 2014 Northern Club, 19 Princes Street, Auckland 1010 Wednesday 23 April 2014 at 6:00 p m. Cost $50.

All Welcome

Queen’s Birthday Cocktails Event 2014 Northern Club, 19 Princes Street, Auckland 1010 Wednesday 4 June 2014 at 6:00 p m. Cost $50.

All Welcome

Christmas Function 2014 The Christmas Function of the Royal Commonwealth Society Auckland Branch Inc will be held at the Selwyn Library, 8 St Stephens Avenue, Parnell, Auckland 1052 on Sunday 30 November 2014 at 12 noon.

5

The Commonwealth Charter

On Commonwealth Day 2013, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II signed the

Commonwealth Charter, which concludes: We are committed to ensuring that the Commonwealth is an effective association, responsive

to members’ needs, and capable of addressing the significant global challenges of the future.

We aspire to a Commonwealth that is a strong and respected voice in the world, speaking

out on major issues; that strengthens and enlarges its networks; that has a global relevance and

profile; and that is devoted to improving the lives of all peoples of the Commonwealth.

The Royal Commonwealth Society Incorporated

Auckland Branch

Membership Fees for 2013/2014 Send Cheques To:

Single $35.00 Couple $60.00 Hon Treasurer:

Student $25.00 Country $25.00 Chris Barradale:

8/29A St Stephens Avenue

Parnell

Auckland 1052

ANZ bank account: 06 0266 0091499 00. Please identify payer if paying by direct credit.

6

The Very Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore officiating at the Commonwealth Day Service on 9 March 2014.

7

SAINT GEORGES DAY COCKTAIL EVENT AT THE NORTHERN CLUB 19 PRINCES STREET, AUCKLAND 1010

THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY (AUCKLAND) IN COLLBORATION WITH THE BRITISH/NZ BUSNESS ASSOCIATION; THE AUCKLAND OFFICERS CLUB AND THE NORTHERN CLUB.

A COCKTAIL EVENT WITH GUEST SPEAKER ROY CLARE CBE WEDNESDAY 23

RD APRIL 6:00 TO 8:00PM COST $50:00 PER PERSON.

PLEASE SEND CHEQUES TO C. BARRADALE 8/29A ST STEPHENS AVENUE, PARNELL, AUCKLAND 1052 OR DIRECT CREDIT TO ANZ ACCOUNT 06 0266 0091499 00

8

9

A CELEBRATION Formerly an Admiral in the Royal Navy, Roy Clare served at sea worldwide. He was second in command

to HRH Prince of Wales in HMS Bronington in 1976 and later commanded the ship himself. For the past

25 years he has been involved in leading a wide range of heritage and cultural projects, including seven

years as Director of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London. Roy has been Director of

Auckland War Memorial Museum since 2011. Roy's full CV is available here.

____________________________________________________

In 1222 The Synod of Oxford declared St. George's Day a feast day in the Kingdom of England. King

Edward III (1327–1377) put his Order of the Garter under the banner of St. George. This order is still the

foremost order of Knighthood in England, and St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle was built by

Edward IV and Henry VII in its honour. The badge of the Order shows Saint George on horseback

slaying the dragon. In his play Henry V, William Shakespeare famously invokes St George prior to the

battle of Agincourt (1415): 'Follow your spirit, and upon this charge Cry 'God for Harry, England, and

Saint George!' The Cross of St. George was flown in 1497 by John Cabot on his voyage to discover

Newfoundland and later by Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh. In 1620 it was the flag that was

flown by the Mayflower when the Pilgrim Fathers arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Our President Leonie Lawson NZOM reading Her Majesty’s Commonwealth Day Message

10

Dean Jo Kelly-Moore welcoming all to the Commonwealth Day Service

Mr Aaron Hape Deputy Director of Commonwealth Youth New Zealand reading his address

11

Leonie Lawson conducting the Auckland Girls’ Choir at the Commonwealth Day Service

Hon. British Consul –General Kevin Lynch reading at the Commonwealth Day Service

12

RNZN Ensign being paraded at the Commonwealth Day Service at Holy Trinity Cathedral

Royal Commonwealth Society members at the Commonwealth Day Service at Holy Trinity Cathedral

13

Kereyn Smith CEO of the NZ Commonwealth Games Association reading her address.

Aaron Hape and Captain Chris.Barradale at the reception to mark Commonwealth Day